Whenever I travel to a foreign country, I usually try to bring back some local magazines that are about design and travel. Some of my favorite ones are from Japan. There’s just something about Japanese “packaging” of magazines that makes you want to buy them. So here are my favorites:

pen.

What I love best about this magazine are the city pages towards the front cover. For each edition (the magazine is published twice a month, on the 1st and the 15th of the month), there is a summary of what is hot in major cities around the world. In the most current edition, the editors introduce new places to stay in Stockholm and discount stores in London, as a few examples. These noteworthy items can be easily torn out and kept for future reference.

Recently, the editors of pen have also published the guide for the “XXIst Century Man” exhibit at the 21_21 Design Sight in Tokyo, which is also worth a look.

BRUTUS and Casa BRUTUS.

The main magazine BRUTUS is all about design, culture and lifestyle in Japan. Its sister magazine, the Casa BRUTUS, is dedicated to home furnishings and design. These two are definitely fun magazines to flip through even if you may not read Japanese.

Real Design.

I have to admit, this one is actually a recent find, even though the magazine recently celebrated its two-year anniversary. As per the magazine title, this magazine is all about design. But don’t get fooled by the title, as reportages cover a variety of topics, including culture, food and more. The most recent issue dedicates nearly 40 pages to gifts to everyone on your list. There are also articles about modern design in Kyoto and where to buy great gifts with unique packaging. Now that’s truly Japanese. No website for this one though, sadly.